South Sudan: Leer population take shelter from violence in the MSF compound

16 March 2016

Dominic Nahr

Nakoch Tiek Koal (23) carries her one and a half year old daughter, Nyachot Gatluok, and a basket with her six month old boy, after walking for two days to reach the UN Protection of Civilians site in Bentiu. 2015

Juba – The population in Leer, South Sudan, continues to live in fear of rape, looting and violence after at least four incidents were recorded in March.

In the most recent incident on 14 March, 27 civilians, mostly women and children, fled to the MSF compound seeking shelter as their houses were looted by a group of men carrying guns. “In the evening the MSF teams could hear screaming coming from the village,” says Jens Pagotto, MSF emergency coordinator in Leer county. “Then, suddenly, the MSF teams saw civilians running in our direction. They were running for their lives and they feel as though there is no one to turn to, so they take shelter with MSF.”

In other recent incidents of armed looting recorded earlier in March, at least one person was killed, at least two women were raped and one patient was brought to the MSF Hospital in Leer to be treated for a gunshot wound to the abdomen. “The security situation for the people living in Leer remains desperate, with increasingly regular instances of armed robbery, violent attacks and sexual violence against women,” says Pagotto.

MSF asks the local authorities to take immediate action to ensure protection of civilians in Leer and other conflict affected areas of South Sudan.